Transforming World Language Teaching and Teacher Education for Equity and Justice: Pushing Boundaries in US Contexts

This edited book explores how pre-service and in-service world language teachers and professors embed social justice, human rights, access, critical pedagogy, and equity into their teaching and curriculum, and how teacher educators prepare language teachers to teach for social justice, human rights, access, and equity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Multilingual Matters

This edited book significantly extends the existing body of knowledge on teaching world languages for social justice and equity in K-12 and postsecondary settings in the United States. Over the past decade, there has been a growing demand for a more critical approach to teaching languages and cultures, prompting this volume to bring together a diverse group of scholars whose work intersects the fields of world language education and critical approaches to education. Within the context of the United States, the chapters in this book address crucial questions such as: (1) How are pre-service or in-service world language teachers and professors incorporating issues, understandings, or content related to social justice, human rights, access, critical pedagogy, and equity into their teaching and curriculum? (2) How are teacher educators preparing language teachers to teach for social justice, human rights, access, and equity?

The book offers valuable insights into the ways in which educators can integrate social justice and equity principles into language teaching, fostering a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students. By exploring the experiences and perspectives of language teachers and teacher educators, the book provides practical strategies and resources for promoting social justice in language classrooms.

One of the key themes explored in the book is the importance of cultural competence in language teaching. The authors argue that language teachers must have a deep understanding of the cultures they teach, in order to provide students with a comprehensive and accurate portrayal of the world. This includes not only understanding the language and customs of the target culture, but also recognizing and challenging cultural biases and stereotypes.

Another important aspect of the book is the role of language teachers in promoting social justice and human rights. The authors highlight the ways in which language teachers can use their platform to raise awareness about social issues and advocate for change. This can involve incorporating social justice content into language lessons, organizing community events and projects, and collaborating with other educators and community organizations.

The book also explores the challenges and barriers that language teachers face in promoting social justice and equity. The authors note that language teachers may face resistance from parents, administrators, and even students who may not fully appreciate the importance of these issues. Additionally, language teachers may struggle to find adequate resources and support for their work in this area.

To address these challenges, the book offers practical strategies and recommendations for teacher educators and language teachers. The authors suggest that teacher educators should provide ongoing professional development opportunities for language teachers, focusing on social justice and equity issues. Additionally, they recommend that language teachers work collaboratively with other educators and community organizations to promote social justice and human rights.

In conclusion, this edited book is a valuable resource for educators who are committed to promoting social justice and equity in language teaching. By exploring the intersection of world language education and critical approaches to education, the book provides a comprehensive and practical guide for promoting social justice in language classrooms. The book's insights and strategies will be of interest to language teachers, teacher educators, and policymakers alike, as we work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788926508